Release Date:

January 2, 2018

Ruidoso, N.M. – Lincoln County Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in New Mexico to earn a five-star rating, the highest rating possible, from the Centers Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The rating is based on comparing quality metrics between 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals in CMS' database.

"At Lincoln County Medical Center, we are committed to ensuring that our patients receive quality care that improves their lives," said Todd Oberheu, administrator, Lincoln County Medical Center. "We are honored to be recognized by CMS for our quality care and improving the patient experience for those we serve."

According to CMS, the overall rating summarizes up to 57 quality measures - reflecting common conditions that hospitals treat, such as heart attacks or pneumonia. Other measures include mortality, readmission, safety of care, patient experience using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, efficient use of medical imaging, and timeliness and effectiveness of care. When compared across these measures to 4,000 hospitals nationwide, Lincoln County Medical Center performed well above the national average.

The overall rating system, introduced in 2016, ranges from one to five stars. The more stars, the better a hospital performed on the available quality measures. The most common overall rating is 3 stars. Only 337 hospitals nationwide received a five star designation.

"As one of only two hospitals in New Mexico to receive this rating, we are proud to bring this level of quality care to our community. This designation is a result of the commitment of the Lincoln County Medical Center staff, providers and volunteers to providing quality care and an exceptional experience for our community," said Oberheu.

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About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities we serve. Presbyterian is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of eight hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, it is the state's largest private employer with more than 11,000 employees.​